Lem’s latest: Darchinyan eyes Moreno, Mares-Agbeko winner

The 35-year-old veteran, THE RING’s No. 5-rated bantamweweight, was stopped in five rounds by THE RING’s No. 4 pound-for-pound rated Nonito Donaire when they were flyweights in July of 2007.

Darchinyan (37-3-1, 27 knockouts) lost a unanimous decision to THE RING’s No. 4-rated bantamweight Joseph Agbeko, (28-3, 22 KOs) in July of 2009 in Darchinyan’s second-ever fight as a bantamweight.

Darchinyan was edged by RING No. 3-rated current IBF beltholder Abner Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs) by a split decision in December, after which Darchinyan complained of low blows.

But Darchinyan will pursue his third straight victory in a clash of southpaws with 26-year-old WBA beltholder Anselmo Moreno (31-1-1, 11 KOs), THE RING’s No. 2-rated bantamweight, on Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., in a Showtime-televised bout.

“I’m going to be patient, but I think that before the end of the 12 rounds, the knockout punch will come,” said Darchinyan. “It will be an exciting fight. But I’m just coming to show my power and my skills in America.”

Darchinyan is coming off a one-sided unanimous decision over Evan Mbamba in September, this, after having vanquished THE RING’s No. 7-rated ex-beltholder Yonnhy Perez by fifth-round technical unanimous decision in April.

Prior to facing Darchyinyan, Perez had battled through a draw with Mares in May of last year, and a unanimous decision loss to Agbeko in December, this, after having vanquished Agbeko in October of 2009.

“My win over Perez was a message for those two fighters, Agbeko and Mares, because they fought Perez also, and Mares had a draw in a very close fight, and Agbeko won one and lost one. Before our fight, Perez was telling all of the media that he was better prepared than ever for the fight and that he was ready to fight with me,” said Darchinyan.

“But I just destroyed him. So that’s a message for those two guys. I’m ready. Whichever one of you wins, I’m coming after you. I just want to destroy anyone who becomes champion. The same thing’s going to happen to them. I’m looking forward to this fight with Moreno so that I can get the future winner of those other guys.”

MORENO DEBUTS ON AMERICAN SOIL

A resident of Panama City, Panaman, Moreno will be after his 26th consecutive win and his 10th knockout during that run as he looks to defend his belt for the ninth straight time in his debut on American soil.

Moreno’s lone defeat was a fourth-round split-decision loss to Richard Molina in his eighth professional bout in October of 2002.

“I feel like I’m a strong fighter just like he is,” said Moreno, who is also fighting for Golden Boy Promotions and being televised on Showtime each for the first time.

“I’m at the point in my career when I’m ready to fight the great ones like a Vic Darchinyan. He has a good record and I have a lot of respect for him. He will be quick and come forward and I’m aware of his power.”

Moreno is looking to make a name for himself in the United States, but he is well-known in his native Panama.

“People do when I’m out running and they want to stop me and take a picture with me. They stop me in the supermarket and want to meet me,” said Moreno.

“There aren’t too many famous athletes from here and Roberto Duran was the most famous boxer. I know I wouldn’t be recognized walking down the street in Los Angeles now, so that’s what I’m hoping will change after a few more fights in the States.”